3 Tips for Successfully Completing an En-Suite Bathroom Renovation

An en-suite bathroom renovation is often one of the smallest redesign projects in terms of space. But in terms of strategy, planning, and complexity, it’s a big undertaking. Between the layout, spacing, electrical, plumbing, and more, it requires a lot of planning and hard work. Here are a few of our top tips for successfully completing an en-suite bathroom renovation:

1. Be open to leaving some of the older elements in place

Even though the goal of a bathroom renovation is usually to make your space more modern and sleek, uprooting some of the current design and functional elements of your bathroom can sometimes be more trouble than it’s worth—especially if you’re remodeling an older house. It may not be necessary, but be prepared to leave some of the older touches or finishes, as long as they’re still functional, because they may be expensive and labor-intensive to take out.

2. Hire an architect to help you understand your space

Hiring a professional is an important step in understanding your current space and the possibilities of a remodel. While some bathroom redesigns are purely decorative, true renovations often include brand-new appliances, counters, toilets, bathrooms, and more. Planning on all-new features, especially if you’re updating a space that hasn’t changed in a long time, means deciding on new styles, layout, and more. People often plan to keep the same layout and just replace everything, but that could cause problems if your new features are different sizes than what you currently have in your bathroom. Plus, the possibility of a brand-new layout allows you the freedom to explore new features, like a corner sink, or replacing a bathtub with a space-saving shower, that you wouldn’t have thought about before.

Though it’s perfectly fine to keep your current layout, a brand-new one may be better for your renovation to make your space as efficient and accessible as possible. We highly recommend hiring an architect to help you understand what’s possible with your space and find the best layout for you—especially once you’ve picked out new appliances and design features, like a bathtub or shower and sink, that are likely different sizes than what you have now.

3. Prioritize optimal air flow through your bathroom

The layout and features of your new bathroom aren’t just decorative. Making sure they’re optimized for airflow is really important to prevent mold, mildew, and other undesirable consequences as much as possible. Having more than one way to air your bathroom out is a good place to start. Think carefully about the placement of windows, vents, and fans, and make sure no part of your bathroom is blocked from receiving adequate air flow.

Our final piece of advice isn’t a design tip, but an important piece of wisdom: Be ready to be uncomfortable for a while while the renovation takes place. Whether you’re planning a DIY renovation or hiring professionals to come in, the placement and function of your en suite bathroom means that there will be a lot going on very close to where you sleep, get ready, and more. Essentially, it’s one of the more invasive remodels (but of course, it’s worth it!). Understand that you may be displaced for a few weeks, and make sure you prepare for this so you’re not surprised by having to sleep or shower somewhere else while the renovation is going on. But don’t worry—once you’re done, you’ll love your new space!